Return on Capital and Management Reforms in Norway's Fisheries

Individual transferrable quotas (ITQs) are used in Norway's fisheries, but only partly and with restrictions on transferability. This paper examines how this has affected return on capital. The return on boat capital in three of four fisheries examined has increased since ITQs were introduced. A part of this increase is due to an increase in value of fish landings, but accounting for that still leaves room for increases due to ITQs. Return on total capital (including quota value) has either stagnated or fallen. This is consistent with the rate of return in ITQ fisheries being comparable with other industries in the long run. (JEL Q22, Q28)